Clip for Securing Fencing to Fence Post and Methods

ABSTRACT

A clip secures a fence to a fence post. The clip has a bifurcated portion for placing around an exterior of the fence post. A first leg portion extends from one side of the bifurcated portion and a second leg portion extends from the other side of the bifurcated portion. Each leg portion has a loop for receiving a portion of the fence. Each leg also has a pliable twisting portion extending outward from leg loop. Each leg twisting portion has a sufficient length so as to allow the twisting portion to be twisted around the respective leg portion to at least close off the respective leg loop. The twisting portion may be twisted around a double backed portion of each leg portion. The twisting portion may be twisted around the respective leg portion with a tool that cooperates with a cordless drill.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/682,896, filed Jun. 9, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to a clip for securing fencing to a fence post. More in particular, the present disclosure is directed to a clip that attaches around a fence post and secures a wire fence, for instance, a barb wire fence, to the fence post.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip placed around a fence post with first and second leg portions extending outward from the fence post and fencing disposed in a loop of the first leg portion and a loop of the second leg portion before the loops are closed off with the fencing in the loops against the fence post.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a conventional, battery operated, cordless drill with a tool in a chuck of the drill engaging the clip for tying the clip around the fence post.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 1 tied around the fence post of FIG. 1 using the tool and cordless drill of FIG. 2, with twisting portions of the first and second leg portions twisted around the first and second leg portions to close off the loops of the first and second leg portions with the fencing in the loops against the fence post.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clip.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the clip.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the clip.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the clip.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the clip.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the clip.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the clip.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the clip.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the tool.

FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the tool.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the tool.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the tool.

FIG. 17 is a right side view of the tool.

FIG. 18 is a left side view of the tool.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the tool.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the tool.

FIG. 21 is a illustration of exemplary packaging for the clips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary clip 30 is shown in FIGS. 1-11. The clip 30 is primarily used for securing fencing 32 to a fence post 34. More in particular, the clip 30 attaches around the fence post 34 and secures a wire fence 32, for instance, a barb wire fence, to the fence post. The clip may also be used for chain link fencing, chicken wire fencing, deer and animal fencing, or any other type of wire fencing or netting. The clip may also be used in connection with T-Posts, U-Channel posts, or any other type or shape of post. The clip 30, or portions of the clip, may be formed from a pliable and bendable material. The clip may be formed from a monolithic material, for instance, galvanized steel or aluminum or another material compatible with the post and fencing. The clip, or portions thereof, may be drawn, punched, machined or cast.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the exemplary clip 30 placed around a T-fence post 34. The clip 30 may have a bifurcated portion 36 that is adapted and configured to be placed around an exterior of the fence post 34. In the drawings, the bifurcated portion 36 is shown with a v-shape. The v-shape fits well with a T-fence post. The bifurcated portion may be shaped in accordance with the exterior contour of the fence post with which the clip is intended to be used, and by way of example and not in any limiting sense, the bifurcated portion may be semicircular, U-shaped, or square shaped. The bifurcated portion 36 includes first and second leg portions 38,40 extending outward from the converging point of the bifurcated portion. When the clip 30 is placed around the fence post 34 as shown in FIG. 1, the first and second leg portions 38,40 extend outward from the fence post.

The first and second leg portions 38,40 may each include a leg loop or cradle 42,44 which receives a portion of the fencing 32. The leg loop or cradle 42,44 may be arcuate and may be semicircular or c-shaped. On each leg portion, a twisting portion 46,48 may extend outward from a corresponding leg loop or cradle 42,44. On each leg portion 38,40, a double backed portion 50,52 may extend from a corresponding leg loop or cradle 42,44. The double backed portion 50,52 may be spaced from the respective twisting portion 46,48, and may be generally parallel to the twisting portion. The spacing may be sufficient to allow the fence 32 to be inserted between the double back portion 50,52 and the twisting portion 46,48, and received in the leg loop or cradle 42,44. The double backed portion 50,52 may include a turn back loop 54,56, allowing the double backed portion 50,52 to extend between the corresponding leg loop 42,44 and the bifurcation corresponding to each leg portion 38,40. The turn back loop 54,56 may be arcuate and may be semicircular or c-shaped. The double backed portion 50,52 may be flexible. The turn back loop 54,56 may be sized and/or the material characteristics of the double backed portion 50,52 may be chosen to provide the double backed portion with inherent spring tension. The double backed portion 50,52 of one or both leg portions 38,40 may extend outward from the respective leg loop 42,44 with a double backed portion extension distance 60. The twisting portion 46,48 of one or both leg portions 38,40 may extend outward from the respective leg loop 42,44 at a twisting portion extension distance 62. On one or both leg portions 38,40, the double backed portion extension distance 60 may be less than the twisting portion extension distance 62.

On each leg portion 38,40, the twisting portion 46,48 may be formed from a pliable material. On each leg portion, the twisting portion 46,48 may have a sufficient twisting portion extension distance or length 62, so as to allow the twisting portion to be twisted around the leg portion 38,40 to at least close off the leg loop 42,44 with the twisting portion. As best shown in FIG. 3, the twisting portion 46,48 of each leg portion 38,40 has a sufficient twisting portion extension distance or length 62, so as to allow the twisting portion to be twisted around the double backed portion 50,52 of each leg portion to at least close off the leg loop 42,44 with the twisting portion. On one or both legs, the twisting portion 46,48 of each leg portion 38,40 has a sufficient twisting portion extension distance or length 62, so as to allow the twisting portion to be twisted around the double backed portion 50,52 of each leg portion with multiple turns. When the twisting portion 46,48 is twisted around the double backed portion 50,52, the double backed portion may flex. The turns closer to the leg loop 42,44 may be tighter than the turns closer to the turn back loop 54,56, as the double backed portion 50,52 may have more displacement adjacent to the leg loop. The tighter turn adjacent to the leg loop 42,44 may draw the fence 32 tauter against the fence post 34. The increasing diameter of the successive turns from the leg loop 42,44 to the turn back loop 54,56 may collectively provide more structural integrity for the twisting portion 46,48 connection to the leg portion 38,40, and in particular, the twisting portion connection to the double backed portion 50,52.

FIGS. 12-20 show a tool 70 that may be used with the clip of FIGS. 4-11 to facilitate tying the fence 32 to the fence post 34 with the clip 30. The tool 70 has a generally circular planar front 72 with a plurality of alignment holes 74 equiangularly spaced about a center hole 76. The tool 70 has a hex head 78 extending from a rear 80 of the tool opposite the planar front 72. The hex head 78 allows the tool 70 to be received in the chuck of the conventional battery-operated, cordless drill 90 (FIG. 2). The hex head 78 may be sized to fit a ¼ inch, ⅜ inch, or a ½ inch drive, depending upon the type of drill 80. The tool 70 may have a tapered outer surface 82 extending rearward toward the rear 80 of the tool and the hex head 78. The alignment holes 74 on the planar front 72 may extend through the body of the tool and out through the tapered outer surface 82. The tool 70 may have a circular groove 84 between the planar front 72 and the tapered outer surface 82, and extending around the outer circumference of the tool body. The alignment holes 74 on the planar front 72 may extend through the groove 84 and out through the tapered outer surface 82.

In using the tool 70, the turn back loop 54,56 of the double backed portion 50,52 of the clip 30 may be inserted in the center hole 76 of the tool. The twisting portion 46,48 of the clip may be inserted in any one of the plurality of equiangularly spaced alignment holes 74. The alignment holes 74 are sized to allow the twisting portion 46,48 of the clip to be inserted in the alignment holes 74. The alignment holes 74 may extend through and out of the tapered outer surface 82 to accommodate different lengths and variations of the twisting portion 46,48 as the clip 30 is located and positioned on the fence post 34 with the fencing 32 in the leg loop or cradle 42,44. When the drill 90 is energized and the tool 70 is rotated in the drill chuck, the twisting portion 42,44 may be twisted around the double backed portion 50,52. The double backed portion 50,52 remains relatively stationary as it is contained in the center hole 76 of the tool 70, and the tool center hole 76 allows the tool to rotate around the double backed portion. The center hole 76 is sized with a diameter and depth to accommodate the turn back loop 54,56 and the double backed portion 50,52 so that the tool center hole may allow the tool 70 to rotate about the double backed portion as the twisting portion 46,48 is twisted around the double backed portion. The groove 84 allows visualization of the twisting portion 46,48 as the twisting portion is twisted around the double backed portion 50,52 and an end of the twisting portion passes through the alignment hole 74 through the groove and out of the planar front 72. As the drill 90 is energized and the tool 70 is rotated in the chuck of the drill, successive turns may be applied to the twisting portion 46,48 around the double backed portion 50,52. The rotation of the tool 70 and twisting of the twisting portion 46,48 around the double backed portion 50,52 will naturally back the tool off the double backed portion and enable the user to tie the fence 32 to the fence post 34 with the clip 30 with ease of operation.

In one aspect, a method of tying the fence 32 to the fence post 34 with the clip 30 involves placing the bifurcated portion 36 of the clip around an exterior of the fence post. With the bifurcated portion 36 around the exterior of the fence post, the user may position the clip 30 such that the first leg portion 38 extending from one side of the bifurcated portion 36 extends outward from the fence post 34, and the second leg portion 40 extending from the other side of the bifurcated portion extends outward from the fence post. The user may place a portion of the fence 32 in the first leg loop 42 of the first leg portion 38 and place another portion of the fence in the second leg loop 44 of the second leg portion 40. With the first leg twisting portion 46 extending outward from first leg loop 42, the user may twist the first leg twisting portion around the first leg portion 38 to at least close off the first leg loop 42 with the portion of the fence 32 contained in the first leg loop. As described above, the user may insert the first leg twisting portion 46 in any one of the alignment holes 74 of the tool 70 and the first leg portion 38, for instance, the first leg double backed portion 50, in the tool center hole 76. By energizing the drill and rotating the tool in the chuck of the drill, the user may twist the twisting portion 50 around the leg portion 38 to at least close off the first leg loop 42. The user may apply multiple turns around the leg portion 38, for instance, the double backed portion 50, to draw a portion of the fence 32 (e.g., the portion in the first leg loop 42) taut against the fence post 34. Next, with the second leg twisting portion 48 extending outward from the second leg loop 44, the user may twist the second leg twisting portion around the second leg portion 40 to at least close off the second leg loop with the portion of the fence 32 contained in the second leg loop. As described above, the user may insert the second leg twisting portion 48 in any one of the alignment holes 74 of the tool 70 and the second leg portion 40, for instance, the second leg double backed portion 52, in the tool center hole 76. By energizing the drill and rotating the tool in the chuck of the drill, the user may twist the twisting portion 48 around the second leg portion 40 to at least close off the second leg loop 44. The user may apply multiple turns around the second leg portion 40, for instance, the double backed portion 52, to draw the other portion of the fence 32 (e.g., the portion in the second leg loop 44) taut against the fence post 34. In twisting the first or second leg twisting portion 46,48 around the respective leg double backed portion 50,52, the double backed portion may be flexed when the twisting portion is twisted around the double back portion. Successive turns of the twisting portion 46,48 around the double backed portion 50,52 may have an increasing diameter which may provide more structural integrity for the twisting portion around the respective leg portion 38,40, and the clip 30 against the fence 32 and fence post 34.

Referring to FIG. 21, the overall arrangement of the clip 30 allows several clips to be stacked in a side-by-side like orientation and/or nesting arrangement with the bifurcated portions 36 and converging points of successive clips aligned generally adjacent to each other. This prevents the clips 30 from being tangled and allows the clips to be easily deployed and accessed from packaging 100.

Further embodiments can be envisioned by one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure. In other embodiments, combinations or sub-combinations of the above-disclosed invention can be advantageously made. The example arrangements of components are shown for purposes of illustration and it should be understood that combinations, additions, re-arrangements, and the like are contemplated in alternative embodiments of the present invention. Thus, various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A clip for securing a fence to a fence post, the clip comprising: a bifurcated portion adapted and configured to be placed around an exterior of the fence post; and a first leg portion extending from one side of the bifurcated portion and a second leg portion extending from the other side of the bifurcated portion, the first leg portion having a first leg loop adapted and configured to receive a portion of the fence, the first leg portion having a first leg twisting portion extending outward from first leg loop, the second leg portion having a second leg loop adapted and configured to receive another portion of the fence, the second leg portion having a second leg twisting portion extending outward from second leg loop, the first leg twisting portion comprising a pliable material, the second leg twisting portion comprising a pliable material, the first leg twisting portion having a sufficient length so as to allow the first leg twisting portion to be twisted around the first leg portion to at least close off the first leg loop, the second leg twisting portion having a sufficient length so as to allow the second leg twisting portion to be twisted around the second leg portion to at least close off the second leg loop.
 2. The clip of claim 1 wherein the clip is formed from a monolithic material.
 3. The clip of claim 1 wherein the bifurcated portion is v-shaped.
 4. The clip of claim 1 wherein the first leg portion includes a first leg double backed portion and the first leg twisting portion has a sufficient length so as to allow the first leg twisting portion to be twisted around the first leg double back portion to at least close off the first leg loop.
 5. The clip of claim 4 wherein the first leg double backed portion is configured to flex when the first leg twisting portion is twisted around the first leg double back portion.
 6. The clip of claim 1 wherein the second leg portion includes a second leg double backed portion and the second leg twisting portion has a sufficient length so as to allow the second leg twisting portion to be twisted around the second leg double back portion to at least close off the second leg loop.
 7. The clip of claim 6 wherein the second leg double backed portion is configured to flex when the second leg twisting portion is twisted around the second leg double back portion.
 8. A clip for securing a fence to a fence post, the clip comprising: a bifurcated portion adapted and configured to be placed around an exterior of the fence post; and a first leg portion extending from one side of the bifurcated portion, the first leg portion having a first leg double backed portion and a first leg twisting portion spaced from the first leg double backed portion by a first leg loop, the first leg loop adapted and configured to receive a portion of the fence, the first leg twisting portion extending outward from one side of the first leg loop, the first leg double backed portion extending outward from the other side of the first leg loop, the first leg twisting portion and the first leg double backed portion being sufficiently bendable to allow the first leg twisting portion to be twisted around the first leg double backed portion to close off at least the first leg loop with the first leg twisting portion; and a second leg portion extending from one side of the bifurcated portion, the second leg portion having a second leg double backed portion and a second leg twisting portion spaced from the double backed portion by a second leg loop, the second leg loop adapted and configured to receive another portion of the fence, the second leg twisting portion extending outward from one side of the second leg loop, the second leg double backed portion extending outward from the other side of the second leg loop, the second twisting portion and the second leg double backed portion being sufficiently bendable to allow the second leg twisting portion to be twisted around the second leg double backed portion to at least close off the second leg loop with the second leg twisting portion.
 9. The clip of claim 8 wherein the clip comprises metal wire.
 10. The clip of claim 8 wherein the bifurcated portion has a v-shape.
 11. The clip of claim 8 wherein the first leg twisting portion extends from the first leg loop at a first leg twisting portion extension distance; and the first leg double back portion extends from the first leg loop at a first leg double back portion extension distance that is less than the first leg twisting portion extension distance.
 12. The clip of claim 8 wherein the second leg twisting portion extends from the second leg loop at a second leg twisting portion extension distance; and the second leg double back portion extends from the second leg loop at a second leg double back portion extension distance that is less than the second leg twisting portion extension distance.
 13. A method comprising: providing a clip for securing a fence to a fence post placing a bifurcated portion of the clip around an exterior of the fence post; with the bifurcated portion around the exterior of the fence post, positioning the clip such that a first leg portion extending from one side of the bifurcated portion extends outward from the fence post, and a second leg portion extending from the other side of the bifurcated portion extends outward from the fence post; placing a portion of the fence in a first leg loop of the first leg portion; placing another portion of the fence in a second leg loop of the second leg portion; with a first leg twisting portion extending outward from first leg loop, twisting the first leg twisting portion around the first leg portion to at least close off the first leg loop with the portion of the fence contained in the first leg loop; and with a second leg twisting portion extending outward from the second leg loop, twisting the second leg twisting portion around the second leg portion to at least close off the second leg loop with the portion of the fence contained in the second leg loop.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first leg portion includes a first leg double backed portion and the step of twisting the first leg twisting portion around the first leg portion includes twisting the first leg twisting portion around the first leg double back portion to at least close off the first leg loop.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of twisting the first leg twisting portion around the first leg double backed portion includes flexing the first leg double backed portion as the first leg twisting portion is twisted around the first leg double back portion.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of twisting the first leg twisting portion around the first leg double backed portion includes twisting multiple turns of the first leg twisting portion around the first leg double backed portion.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the second leg portion includes a second leg double backed portion and the step of twisting the second leg twisting portion around the second leg portion includes twisting the second leg twisting portion around the second leg double back portion to at least close off the second leg loop.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of twisting the second leg twisting portion around the second leg double backed portion includes flexing the second leg double backed portion as the second leg twisting portion is twisted around the second leg double back portion.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of twisting the second leg twisting portion around the second leg double backed portion includes twisting multiple turns of the second leg twisting portion around the second leg double backed portion.
 20. The method of claim 13 wherein the steps of twisting the first leg twisting portion around the first leg portion to at least close off the first leg loop with the portion of the fence contained in the first leg loop and twisting the second leg twisting portion around the second leg portion to at least close off the second leg loop with the portion of the fence contained in the second leg loop include drawing the fence against the fence post. 